He played one more season with Prince Albert, scoring 105 points, before joining the North Stars for the 1989-90 season during which he made a virtually seamless transition to the NHL with 75 points in 80 games, which instantly made him a fan favorite in Minnesota.
During his second season in Minnesota, the team went on a miraculous run through the playoffs, reaching the Stanley Cup Finals despite a 27-39-14 regular season record. Modano contributed 20 points in 23 playoff games for fifth on the team in playoff scoring.
After two seasons of knocking on the door, Modano had his first 30 goal season in 1991-92 with 33. He repeated his 33 goal total in 1992-93, while his 60 assists propelled him to a career high 93 points.
The North Stars franchise was moved to Dallas for the following season where Modano repeated his 93 points, only this time thanks to a career high 50 goals which no doubt helped sell the game of hockey to the fans in Texas thanks to his speed and flair.
Starting in 1995-96, Modano began a period of being a regular 30 goal scorer, hitting that mark in six of the next seven seasons and scoring in the 80's six of the next eight, a streak that coincided with him becoming an alternate team captain.
The Stars went a long playoff run in 1998 which served as a precursor for the 1998-99 season when the franchise won it's first Stanley Cup in over 30 years of trying. Modano contributed 23 points in 23 games to lead the team in playoff scoring.
The Stars again returned to the finals the following season as Modano again tallied 23 points in 23 playoff games, one behind the team lead.
The 2000-01 season saw him score his 1,000th NHL point and he surpassed the 1,000 game mark in 2002-03. Modano was named team captain for the 2003-04 and 2005-06 seasons, with the 2004-05 season being lost to the NHL lockout.
He would play four more seasons in Dallas which included his 500th NHL goal on March 13, 2007 and his 503rd goal to pass Joe Mullen for the record for most goals by an American-born player just four days later.
Modano celebrates his 500th NHL goal
Early in the following season Modano broke the record for most points by an American-born player when he passed Phil Housley with a shorthanded goal on November 7, 2007 for his 1,233rd point, a feat which was recognized by a phone call from the president!
At the conclusion of the 2009-10 season his 20 seasons with the Stars organization came to an end when it was announced he would not be re-signed. After much speculation concerning his possible retirement, Modano opted to sign with the Detroit Red Wings for the 2010-11 season but a deep cut from a skate severed a tendon in his hand, limiting him to just 40 games although he did return in time to participate in the playoffs.
Modano holds records for the Most Goals by an American-born player (561), Most Points by an American-born player (1,374), Most Playoff Points by an American-born player (146) and Most Games Played by an American-born player (1,499) as well as Dallas franchise regular season and playoff records for games, goals, assists and points.
Internationally, Modano played for the United States in the World Junior Championships in 1988 and 1989, the World Championships in 1990, 1993 and 2005, the 1991 Canada Cup, the World Cup of Hockey in 1996 and 2004, winning the championship in 1996, and the Olympics in 2002, winning a silver medal, and again in 2006. In all, he would play 71 games, scoring 24 goals and 61 points for the United States.
Internationally, Modano played for the United States in the World Junior Championships in 1988 and 1989, the World Championships in 1990, 1993 and 2005, the 1991 Canada Cup, the World Cup of Hockey in 1996 and 2004, winning the championship in 1996, and the Olympics in 2002, winning a silver medal, and again in 2006. In all, he would play 71 games, scoring 24 goals and 61 points for the United States.
Modano's career achievements were recognized when he was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012, had his number 9 retired by the Dallas Stars in March of 2014 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November of 2014.
Today's featured jersey is a 1998-99 Dallas Stars Mike Modano jersey as worn during the only Stanley Cup championship of Modano's career which came after leading the team in playoff scoring.
Today's featured jersey is a 1998-99 Dallas Stars Mike Modano jersey as worn during the only Stanley Cup championship of Modano's career which came after leading the team in playoff scoring.
This style Dallas Stars jersey was first worn as an alternate jersey during the 1997-98 season and mimicked the style worn in the 1994-1997 NHL All-Star Games. Even though it was an alternate jersey, Dallas opted to wear it during the playoffs and won the Stanley Cup while wearing this jersey.
Following their Stanley Cup championship, the Stars promoted this striking jersey to their primary road jersey and created a white version to be worn at home. This style remained in use through the 2005-06 season until being replaced by the new Reebok Edge jerseys. As great as a jersey as this jersey was, the ones that replaced it were among some of the worst of the new styles by far.
Bonus jersey: Today's bonus jersey is a 2005 United States National Team Mike Modano jersey as worn during the 2005 World Championships where Modano was the US team captain.
In 2005 Nike revised all the jerseys for the teams participating in the IIHF World Championships, and the United States were given an entirely new look, retiring the style which was worn at the 2002 Olympics and 2004 World Cup. This template was based on the 1997-98 St. Louis Blues alternate jersey, which was late promoted to their primary jersey and used through 2006-07.
A classic and effective look for the USA, this jersey sadly was only used for the 2005 Worlds as the new Nike Swift template, fabric and construction was introduced for the 2006 Olympics the following year, giving this style an all too short lifespan.
Our video section begins with a look at the career of Modano on the occasion of his jersey being retired by the Dallas Stars.
In 2005 Nike revised all the jerseys for the teams participating in the IIHF World Championships, and the United States were given an entirely new look, retiring the style which was worn at the 2002 Olympics and 2004 World Cup. This template was based on the 1997-98 St. Louis Blues alternate jersey, which was late promoted to their primary jersey and used through 2006-07.
A classic and effective look for the USA, this jersey sadly was only used for the 2005 Worlds as the new Nike Swift template, fabric and construction was introduced for the 2006 Olympics the following year, giving this style an all too short lifespan.
Our video section begins with a look at the career of Modano on the occasion of his jersey being retired by the Dallas Stars.
Here, Modano becomes the leading American scorer in the history of the NHL.
Finally, Modano's speech when he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
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